Marking rule for drapery pleating



May 2, 1967 M. FINK 3,316,645

r MARKING RULE FOR DRAPERY PLEATING Filed April 22, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheetl MARVIN F|NK BY A MAQ-4 ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,316,645MARKING RULE FR DRAPERY PLEATING lVIai-vin Fink, Philadelpha,fla.,assignor to Coloplete Corporation, Huntingdon Valley, Pa., a corporationof Pennsylvania Filed Apr. 22, 1965, Ser. No. 450,000 9 Claims. (Cl.33-103) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements inapparatus for marking the location of pleats upon drapery material. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to such a pleat marking rule as willmark both pleat spacing and the width or extent of the drapery materialthat forms each pleat.

Pinch-pleated draperies are presently in the mode for olice and homedecoration and require great skill and dexterity to properly compute andform the pleats therein. It has been found that the act of calculatingthe necessary dimensions to properly proportion the pleat spacingrelative to the material that goes into the pleats is quite timeconsuming and this is true whether or not the finished drapery is madeup of one, two, or more panels. It is frequently necessary for thedrapery Worker to take into consideration the fact that various panelsof material frequently vary in width, primarily due to overlap in oneend panel and the return or bend allowance in the other end panel.Hence, it may be seen that the calculations necessary to determine thenumber of pleats per panel and the proper spacing is one that must becarried out differently for each of the several panels forming thecompleted drapery. Matters may be further complicated in use of a panelof fractional width.

It is essential in marking pleats, that there be uniformity of the pleatspacing throughout the full width of the drapery regardless of whetherone or a plurality of panels is utilized and whether or not a fractionalsized panel is incorporated in the drapery. It is further ofconsiderable importance to a quality finished drapery that the seams inmultipanel draperies be hidden by placing the same immediately adjacentpleats so that the pleat and the folds formed thereby will hide theseams from ordinary view.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a marking rule for-drapery layout and the like that will mark pleats while at the sametime indicating proper pleat spacing.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new method of custompleating draperies by the use of color indicia bands.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a devicethat may be preset for the desired pleat spacing so that this spacingmay be set and provide automatic pleat Width marking in relation to thepleat spacing and according to the width of the drapery panel beingmarked.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide amarking rule having means to preset the offset of a central slideportion therein.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a marking rule fordraperies and the like that may be conveniently installed on a draperyworking table and has provision for proper alignment of one edge of thedrapery material thereagainst.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a marking rule fordraperies or the like bearing the above objects in mind, which is ofsimple construction, has a minimum number of parts, is inexpensive tomanufacture, and is at all times eflicient and accurate in use, andwhich will vastly reduce the time and hence cost in drapery manufacture.

For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention,reference may be had to the following detailed 3,316,045 Patented May 2,1967 description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing inwhich:

FIGURE l is a plan view of the marking rule of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective of several of the various size spacer blocksor jigs used with the rule.

FIGURE 3 is a plan View of a set of tables used in conjunction with themarking rule, several of the sheets thereof being omitted forsimplicity.

FIGURE 3A is a plan view of a complete sheet from the tables of FIGURE3.

FIGURE 4 is an enlargement in plan of a portion of FIGURE 1 showingscale portion T in detail.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional View of the rule taken on line 5 5 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view of the rule taken along line 6-6 of FIGUREl.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view of the rule taken along line 7-7 of FIGURE1.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged plan view of one end of a modified form of themarking rule.

FIGURE 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of one end of the preferred embodimentof the invention with a spacer block inserted in the well of the rule.

FIGURE 1l is a plan view of a layout of a curtain or drapery formed fromseveral panels and showing the same in position on the marking guidewith several pleat marks for the first panel having been made.

FIGURE l2 is a plan view similar to FIGURE ll, but showing the markingof the second panel.

Reference is now made more specifically to the drawings wherein similarparts have like reference characters throughout the several views andwherein the marking rule of the instant invention is designatedgenerally at 10.

Marking rule 10 preferably comprises but two pieces of material, base 11and slide 12. While aluminum or steel is preferred, the constructioncould obviously be fashioned from wood or plastic if desired. Extendingfrom one side of and preferably formed integrally with base 11 is asloping material support ramp 13. Ramp 13 joins base 11 at a pointspaced slightly downward of the base upper surface 14 forming a shoulder15.

The base 11 has a dovetail channel 16 former therein throughout itslength as shown in FIGUR-E 7 for mating reception of slide 12 which hasits sides conforming in shape thereto. `I-Ioles 17 are provided atspaced selected points in channel 16 for receiving screws if it isdesired to permanently secure the marking rule to the work table.

In order to secure slide 12 in selected offset position in channel 16, acentral tapped hole 18 is formed in the slide which threadedly receivesthumb screw 19. Tightening of the thumb screw will effec-tively lockslide 12 with respect to base 11.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention a generally rectangularwell 20 is formed in channel 16 adjacent each end of the rule. Wells 2oare adapted to receive therein any one of a set of various size spacerblocks or jigs 21. These jigs are of sufficient heigh-t to interferewith movement of the slide and serve as an abutment for predeterminedoffset of the slide with respect to the rule as described in greaterdetail herein. Each of jigs 21 may have identifying indicia imprinted orstamped on the end faces thereof for ease in handling and are preferablystored in a compartmented case, not shown.

As an alternative means of achieving desired slide offset, slide 12 maybe formed with rack teeth 2v2 on its underside as shown in FIGURES 8 and9 and a pinion 23 mounted on a shaft 24 may be journalled in base 11 sothat the pinion teeth mesh with rack teeth 22. A conventional knob Z5 islixed on shaft 24 and may be "D e? operated to achieve the desiredoffset which is indicated on base scale 26 by a pointer 27 on slide 12.

Obviously many other mechanical means could be utilized to pre-set therule and achieve offset such as worm gearing, axial screws,hydraulic'piston-cylinder arrangements, wound cable drum, etc.

Scales are provided both on the upper surface 14 of base 11 and on theupper face of slide 1.2. As can be seen in FIGURE 1, these scalesdesignated S, T, U, V, and W coincide when the rule is in its closedposition with the ends of the base 11 and slide 12 fiush. While all ofthe scales are essentially similar, scale T has been shown in detail inFIGURE 4.

The divisions of each scale section are uniform; ie., the width betweendivision lines is the same; however, the width of the scale segmentsincreases from right to left as seen in FIGURE 1. In the preferredembodiment each of the areas in scale S is 1/s inch, in scale T 1/4inch, in scale U 3/s inch, in scale V 1/2 inch, and in scale W inch.

In laying out the scales the distance between the beginning or index ofeach two adjacent scales is the same. If an overlap of scales results,such as between scales V and W, one or more of the scale segments may beomitted.

It is preferred that each scale segment be marked with easy to recognizeindicia. As shown in FIGURE 4, each segment A, B, C R on the slide 12 ispainted with a different color. Similar colored bands are imprinted asshown on the upper surface of base 11. Although color bands arepreferred due to ease in identification, letters, numerals, or any otherdesired indicia may be employed. In FIGURE 4 I have shown the use ofboth colored bands and letters.

It is to be understood that each of the scales S, T, U, V, and W, havethe same indicia markings in the same order with the exception ofoverlapped scale areas as previously mentioned.

In use, in order to determine which of the jigs in the set are to beused, a set of tables 28 are provided, preferably comprising a pluralityof overlapped pages 29, although the tables may be printed on a singlesheet or even in book form if desired.

FIGURES 1l and 12 show in fragmentary fashion three drapery panels 31,32 and 33 stitched together along the indicated seam lines. The draperymaterial is placed on ramp 13 with its finished side down and itsbuckram edge flush against the shoulder 15.

While I have shown only three panels of drapery material, it will beobvious that accordingly the panel width, i.e., thirty-six inches tofifty-four inches, and the width of the finished pleated drapery, asmany panels as desired may be incorporated in a panel and evenfractionalwidth panels may be utilized.

Even though adjacent panels may vary somewhat in dimension, no seriousproblem is presented and for practical purposes they will pleat up inthe same manner. Typical pinch pleats comprise three folds of materialgathered and stitched at their base. Since there are two small widths ofmaterial to each fold, the typical pinch pleat will have six such shortmaterial widths. Hence, the total amount of material in each pleat canvary considerably from one panel to another without making thedifference noticeable. By way of example, if panel 32 is four incheswider than panel 31 due to an overlap or return at the outer edgethereof, then the material that goes into the pleats in panel 32 will befour inches more than the material in the pleats of panel 31. Assumingboth panels are to have five pleats, the material in each pleat in panel32 will be four-fifths of an inch wider than the material in each pleatof panel 31. Since we have seen that there are six short widths ofmaterial in each pleat, the depth of the pleats in panel 32 will be justa small fraction over one-eighth of an inch deeper than the pleat depthin panel 31. This, of course, cannot be visually detected except underthe closest scrutiny.

The proper pleat spacing and the num-ber of pleats are generallydetermined by the unpleated drapery material width in relation to thefinished pleated drapery width. Generally, four, five or six pleats perfull panel are used, but this can, of course, be varied dependent on thepleat depth and fabric Width.

Once the operator has determined the overall size of pleated draperyrequired and the number of widths and pleats required, the proper page29 in the table 28 is selected. With the pleated size known, the returnand center space is ascertained from the center column. The third columngives a code number for the jig of spacer block 21 to be used.Alternatively the spacer block number may reflect a reading to be set onscale 26.

The rule slide 12 is then displaced and the selected spacer block isplaced in either of the right or left Wells 20. Determination `as towhich well is to be employed is dependent upon two factors; Whether thepanel is a right or left-hand panel, and the number of widths in thepanel. Most left-hand panels utilize the right well and most righthandpanels the left well. The lock screw 19 is then tightened.

All draperies have one more space than pleats regardless of the numberof widths; for example, a three-panel drapery may have sixteen spacesand fifteen pleats counting the return and center as spaces. In orderthat two spaces do not fall together, one space must be measured offfrom each panel.

To facilitate use of the marking rule, all seams should be marked withchalk or pencil, or other marking device.

The center and return `are then marked off utilizing the six inch scales30 Iprovided at each end of the rule.

Next, the left-hand edge of the drapery panel 31 is lined up with theleft-hand edge of the base 11 as seen in FIGURE ll except for left-handpanels of fractional widths or ldouble widths. In these cases, the panelis displaced until the return mark as noted above is in line with therule edge. This, in effect, measures ofi a space.

The operator must now visually determine the indicia color immediatelyadjacent the first seam as shown in FIGURE 11. This becomes the keycolor, and a visible mark is placed on the drapery material whereverthis key color appears, either on the ibase upper surface 14 or on theslide scale 12. Since the first seam is at the joinder of the key colorand the next zone, the visible marks are placed on the drapery materialat the far end of the varlous key color bands. It will be seen that twoseparate mark spacings are thereby provided, on far pleat dimension andone for `space between pleats.

Upon completion of the marking of the first width or panel 31, thematerial is displaced on ramp 13 as shown in FIGURE 12 until the firstseam is in line with the edge of the rule ibase member. A space ismarked off if 1ndicated and `a second key color corresponding to theposition of the second seam is chosen. The material of the second panelor width 32 is marked in a manner similar to panel 31 wherever thesecond key color appears on the lbase member or slide.

A similar procedure is employed for all panels. When marklng iscompleted, yadjacent marks are stitched together forming pockets in theconventional manner.

It will be lunderstood that the instant invention lends itself thecalculating `and marking of a wide variety of materials other thandrapery fabric. It is indeed possible to use the disclosed invention formarking various spacings on lumber, sheet metal, plastics, etc.

The foregoing is deemed illustrative only of the principles of theinvention. Further, since numerous modifications and substitutions ofequivalents will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in thistart, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact constructiondescribed, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to protect by letters patent ofthe United States is:

1. A device to facilitate marking of material into selected dimensionalwidths with selected spacing between such Widths comprising 'a generallyflat base member, a slide moveable longitudinally with respect to saidbase member, a plurality of spaced scale sets on ea-ch of said basemember and slide, each scale set having a plurality of scale segments,the segments in each set being of the same width, the segments in eachscale set being of a greater width than the immediately preceding scaleset and means to olset said slide with respect to said base member.

2. A device for computing the width and spacing of drapery pleatscomprising an elongated, generally rectangular base member, an inclinedmaterial ramp attached to and coextensive with one longitudinal edge ofsaid base member, a longitudinal groove defined by inclined side wallsformed in said base member, a slide member slideably received withinsai-d groove, means to olset said slide member a selected distance withrespect to said base member, a plurality of spaced scale sets on each ofsaid base and slide members, each scale set having a plurality of scalesegments, the segments in each set being of the same width, the segmentsin each scale set being of a greater width than the immediatelypreceding scale set, each of said scale sets having the same series ofindicia, said scales on said base member and slide member being inalignment when the end of said slide member is in alignment with saidbase member.

3. A device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said indicia comprisesdiiferent color bands for each of said segments.

4. A device as set forth in claim 2 wherein ve scale sets are providedand the segment width of the lfirst scale set is one-eighth inch, thesecond scale set is one-quarter of an inch, the third scale set isthree-eights inch, the fourth scale set is one-half of an inch, and thefifth scale set is tive-eighths of an inch.

5. A device for computing the width and spacing of drapery pleatscomprising an elongated, generally rectangular base member, an incl-inedmaterial supporting lDamp integral with and coextensive with onelongitudinal edge of said base member, a longitudinal groove formed insaid base member, a slide member slideably yreceived in said groove, awell formed adjacent each end of said base member and communicating withsaid groove, ia selected one of a set of diierent size spacer blocksadapted to fit within one of said Wells to offset said slide member withrespect to said base member, a plurality of spaced scale sets on each ofsaid base and slide members, each scale set having a plurality of scalesegments, the segments in each set being of the same width, each of saidscale sets having the same series of indicia, said scales on said basemember and slide member being in alignd ment when the end of said slidemember is `in alignment with said base member.

6. A device as dened in claim 5 and further including an inch scaleadjacent each end of said base member.

'7. A device las dened in claim 5 and further including lock meanscarried by said slide member to -secure said slide member in offsetposition on said base member.

A device to facilitate marking of material into selected dimensionalwidths with selected spacing between such widths comprising a generallyflat base member, 'a slide movable longitudinally with respect to saidbase member, a plurality of spaced scale sets on each of said basemember and slide, each scale set having a plurality of scale segments,the segments in each set being of the same iwidth, means to oiset saidslide with respect to said base member, the base member being formedwith a longitudinally extending groove, said slide being received insaid groove for movement therein, a well formed adjacent each end ofsaid base member and communicating twith said groove, said means tooffset said slide comprising a selected one of a -set of different sizedspacer blocks adapted to be received within one of said wells.

9. A device to facilitate marking of material into selected dimensionalwidths with selected spacing between such IWidths comprising a generallyflat Ibase member, a slide movable longitudinally with respect to saidb-ase member, a plurality of spaced scale sets on each of said basemember and slide, each scale set having la plurality of scale segments,the segments in each set being of the same width, means to offset saidslide with respect to said base member, the base member being formedwith a longitudinally extending groove, said slide being received formovement within said groove, the means to offset said slide comprising agear rack on the lower yface of said slide, a pinion journaled in saidbase member and in mesh with said rack, means to turn said pinion, andan offset scale on said base member yand a pointer on said slide.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 787,974 4/1905Clark `33--111 `858,498 7/1907 Bartels 33-107 1,802,603 4/1931 Herm235--70 X 2,999,321 9/1961V McAllister et al. 33-137 X FOREIGN PATENTS10,220 1'896- Great Britain. 176,397 `6/ 1935 Switzerland.

LEONARD FORMAN, Primary Examiner. H. N. HAROIAN, Assistant Examiner.

5. A DEVICE FOR COMPUTING THE WIDTH AND SPACING OF DRAPERY PLEATSCOMPRISING AN ELONGATED, GENERALLY RECTANGULAR BASE MEMBER, AN INCLINEDMATERIAL SUPPORTING RAMP INTEGRAL WITH AND COEXTENSIVE WITH ONELONGITUDINAL EDGE OF SAID BASE MEMBER, A LONGITUDINAL GROOVE FORMED INSAID BASE MEMBER, A SLIDE MEMBER SLIDEABLY RECEIVED IN SAID GROOVE, AWELL FORMED ADJACENT EACH END OF SAID BASE MEMBER AND COMMUNICATING WITHSAID GROOVE, A SELECTED ONE OF A SET OF DIFFERENT SIZE SPACER BLOCKSADAPTED TO FIT WITHIN ONE OF SAID WELLS TO OFFSET SAID SLIDE MEMBER WITHRESPECT TO SAID BASE MEMBER, A PLURALITY OF SPACED SCALE SETS ON EACH OFSAID BASE AND SLIDE MEMBERS, EACH SCALE SET HAVING A PLURALITY OF SCALESEGMENTS, THE SEGMENTS IN EACH SET BEING OF THE SAME WIDTH, EACH OF SAIDSCALE SETS HAVING THE SAME SERIES OF INDICIA, SAID SCALES ON SAID BASEMEMBER AND SLIDE MEMBER BEING IN ALIGNMENT WHEN THE END OF SAID SLIDEMEMBER IS IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID BASE MEMBER.